Gonzo's Garage - Go Navy!

Welcome to the "Go Navy!" section of Gonzo's Garage. In these pages, you will find information pertaining to my 20-year career in the U.S. Navy. Serving my country was one of the most important and cherished things I have ever done in life, and I wanted to use these pages to share with you some of my experiences from a 20-year career. My most memorable experiences by far were from my days on the aircraft carrier, working on the flight deck, and listening to the sound of freedom as the Tomcats roared off the deck. Working on the flight deck with my Navy brothers was dangerous, but it was the most rewarding experience I have ever had. I miss my days on the ships at sea, launching aircraft, and just being part of the most awesome aviation units in the world - the Navy Fighter Squadrons with which I served. Best job I ever had!

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[Enlisted Career] [Officer Career] [Awards & Medals]

My Enlisted Career

I enlisted in the Navy under the Advanced Electronics Field (AEF) Program, and entered active duty as an E-3 (Airman) on July 30, 1976. My highest enlisted rank was Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8).

Dates	Duty Assignment, Location	Job Titles Held
July 76 - Oct 76	Recruit Training Command, San Diego, CA Recruit Company 163 Note: This activity was decommissioned.	Recruit under training (Basic Training)
Oct 76 - Dec 77	Naval Air Technical Training Center, Memphis, TN (Web Link) Note: This activity is now in Pensacola FL	Student - Basic and Advanced Avionics
Dec 77 - Dec 80	Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, CA Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (Web Link)	Avionics Technician, Training Coordinator, Assistant Calibration Manager
Dec 80 - Jun 83	Naval Air Facility, Misawa, Japan Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (Web Link)	Avionics Technician, Shift Supervisor, Calibration Manager, Training Coordinator
Jun 83 - Sep 86	Fighter Squadron One Twenty Four (VF-124) Avionics/Armament Division Note: This activity was decommissioned.	Avionics Shift Supervisor, Quality Assurance Representative
Sep 86 - Apr 88	Fighter Squadron One Ninety Four (VF-194) Avionics/Armament Division Note: This activity was decommissioned.	Avionics Branch Supervisor, Drug & Alcohol Program Advisor
Apr 88 - Feb 90	Fighter Squadron Fifty One (VF-51) Avionics/Armament Division Note: This activity was decommissioned.	Avionics Branch Supervisor, Air Warfare Qualification Board Member
Feb 90 - Apr 93	Fighter Squadron One Twenty Four (VF-124) Fleet Replacement & Maintenance Training Dept. Note: This activity was decommissioned.	Aircraft Maintenance Training Instructor, Aviation Maintenance Training Supervisor Maintenance Control Chief

"Once A Chief, Always A Chief!"

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My Officer Career

I was commissioned as a Naval Officer (Ensign) in April, 1993, under the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) Program. I was one of only thirteen applicants, out of several hundred candidates for the Avionics Officer designator, that were selected that year! My very first assignment was aboard the Aircraft Carrier Carl Vinson as the IM-3 Division Officer.

Dates	Duty Assignment, Location	Job Titles Held
Apr 93 - Jun 93	Officer Training School, Pensacola, FL (Web Link)	Student: Officer Indoctrination and Aircraft Maintenance Officer Schools Aircraft Weight & Balance School
July 93 - Sep 94	U.S.S. Carl Vinson (CVN-70), Alameda, CA Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (Web Link)	Avionics Division Officer (IM-3 Division) Repair Locker Officer - Unit 1F
Oct 94 - July 96	Naval Air Station, Alameda, CA Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department Note: This activity was decommissioned in 1996	Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer Maintenance/Material Control Officer
July 96	Reverted to permanent enlisted pay grade (E-8). Transferred to U.S. Navy Fleet Reserve	Inactive Reserve - Waiting For Orders
Nov 2005	Officially transferred to the retired roster	U.S. Navy Veteran - Retired

My Naval career was disrupted in 1994 by a neck injury that caused a stroke. I served out the remainder of my Naval career at NAS Alameda as a Naval Officer (see last entry above), I was selected for O-3 (Lieutenant) but reverted back to my permanent enlisted pay grade of E-8 (due to retirement laws) and retired from active duty - transferred to Fleet Reserve (with Disabled Veteran status) in 1996, and was transferred to the fully retired rolls in 2006. In 2009, I was reverted back to my officer rank for retirement purposes.

"... he (The LDO/CWO) possesses the one thing that the direct commissions may pretend, but can never attain: the sure knowledge of what goes on in the hearts and minds of enlisted men..."

Gerald P. Averill